Over 1862 metres with a crawling pace forecast, this is a test of staying stamina more than anything else. The interesting runner here is Wet 'N' Dry, who brings 29 starts of hard-earned education to a field of mostly lightly raced types. Yes, he's winless, but look at the recent form: second at Warrnambool over 2350m on soft ground, third at Seymour over 2246m, sixth at Geelong over 2470m. He's been knocking on the door at genuine staying trips, and barrier one with Neil Farley gives him every chance to control this from the front. The gelding by Fiorente has proven wet track ability and this Good surface won't trouble him.

Born Survivor is the main danger. He's been placed twice from thirteen starts and ran a close second at Hanging Rock over 1600m two runs back, beaten half a length. The gear changes today are significant: blinkers go on for the first time, winkers come off. That's a sharpening move from Brian McGrath, and with Jackie Beriman aboard, he'll get every opportunity from the same inside gate. The worry is he's yet to win and this is a step up in distance.

Butterscotch caught my eye with a narrow second at Pakenham over 1600m three weeks ago, beaten a nose. She's a mare by The Autumn Sun from the Moody stable, and that alone commands respect. But she's only had three starts, and this is a significant jump in trip. I want to see her prove she can run out a strong 1862m before I'm convinced.

Olympiad is resuming for the McEvoy stable with John Allen booked, which tells you they think he's ready. He ran third at Werribee over 1618m first-up last time in, beaten under two lengths. Tongue tie goes on today. He's a chance if the stable has him wound up, but 39 days between runs is fresh territory and this is a long way for a three-year-old resuming.

The rest look out of their depth. En Mer has been tried over distance on the synthetic and hasn't fired. So Vogue has been placed three times but his form is provincial maiden level at best. I'm not interested in Yard Of Ale, who was seventh here last time over this trip and hasn't shown me anything to suggest improvement.

I'm leaning towards Wet 'N' Dry as the most likely winner. The experience, the proven distance ability, the perfect draw. If he can't win this, he can't win anything.

Another slow-pace maiden, this time over 1459 metres, and I think Egyptian Thorn is the horse to beat. He debuted at Seymour three weeks ago and ran a terrific second over 1300m, beaten a neck by a handy type. That was a strong maiden, and he did it fresh with no public trials to speak of. Now he steps up to 1459m second-up, which is perfect for a Maurice gelding, and Billy Egan stays on from barrier four. The Kennewell stable has a strong opinion of this horse, and I share it.

Darating has to be considered. He's winless from nine starts but ran fourth at Stawell over 1300m three runs back, beaten less than a length. The gear changes today are telling: blinkers go back on, cross-over nose band comes off, visors come off. That's a simplification of the headgear, which often works. He's also drawn barrier two, which is gold in a slow-paced race. But he's been tried eight times before and failed, and I need to see him actually win before I believe.

Lollie's Galore is a brother to Butterscotch from Race 1, another Autumn Sun gelding from the Moody stable. He ran fifth at Sandown Hillside over 1300m on soft ground first-up, beaten under two lengths. That's a solid enough effort, and Zac Spain is a strong booking. But he's only had one start, and this is a step into the unknown.

Blue Jean Queen is returning from a 187-day spell, which is a long time between drinks. She's been tried over distance on the synthetic and hasn't won in nine starts. I'm not convinced she's got the class for this, even at maiden level.

Her Legacy has been placed once from four starts and ran third at Echuca over 1100m two runs back. She's drawn well in barrier nine with Cian MacRedmond, but I don't see the form line that says she's ready to win at this trip.

License To Excite has been placed twice from five starts and ran fifth here over 1218m last time, beaten just over five lengths. Winkers go on for the first time today, which suggests the stable thinks she needs help. She's a chance at odds, but I'm not convinced she's got the natural ability to win this.

The debutants Glowshift and Yauson are both interesting on breeding, but I want to see them race before I invest. Egyptian Thorn is the one with the form, the right profile, and the right jockey. He's my clear pick.

Over 1206 metres with another slow pace forecast, and I think Milos Filos is the most professional horse in this field. She's had five starts for Liam Howley, won a Sandown Hillside maiden trial, and ran second at Seymour over 1100m three weeks ago, beaten two and a quarter lengths. That was a strong effort, and she's only going to improve stepping up to 1206m. The Exceedance filly has shown she can settle and finish, which is exactly what you need in a slow-paced race. Alana Kelly takes the ride, and I think she's the one to beat.

Privateer is the main danger. She's a Snitzel filly from the Price and Kent stable, and she ran second at Seymour over 1200m two runs back, beaten three-quarters of a length. That's strong form, and she's had four starts now, so she's not without experience. But she was disappointing last time at Pakenham over 1400m, finishing sixth and beaten over seven lengths. I need to see her bounce back before I'm convinced.

Chloe First has been placed once from two starts and ran third at Pakenham over 1000m last time, beaten under two lengths on soft ground. She's a Cosmic Force filly from the Moody stable with Zac Spain aboard, and she's drawn well in barrier eleven. But this is a step up in trip, and I'm not sure she's got the stamina for 1206m yet.

Upstage is resuming from a 169-day spell, which is a long time off. She ran third at Bendigo over 1100m on debut last time in, beaten a length and a half on a Heavy 8. Winkers go on for the first time today, which suggests the Begg stable thinks she needs help. She's a chance if they've got her ready, but I want to see her prove fitness first.

Equivaster has had two starts for the Busuttin and Young stable and ran fourth at Terang over 1206m last time, beaten three and a quarter lengths. She's drawn barrier one, which is a help, but I don't see the form line that says she's ready to win this. Head Capitalist is returning from a 164-day spell and hasn't shown me enough in four starts to suggest she's a winning chance. Visors go on for the first time today, which is often a sign of desperation.

Milos Filos has the form, the right distance profile, and the right jockey. She's the strongest case in this race, and I'm backing her to get the job done.

Over 1106 metres with a slow pace, and Conflict is the class horse in this field. He's only had three starts, all of them resulting in minor placings, and he's been off for 112 days. But look at the form: second at Kyneton over 1103m on a Heavy 8, beaten 1.75 lengths; second at Pakenham over 1000m on soft, beaten half a length; third at Ballarat over 1200m on Good, beaten three and a bit lengths. That's consistent form at a higher level than most of these have seen, and he's a Russian Revolution gelding from the Moody stable with Zac Spain aboard. Blinkers stay on, and I think he's ready to win.

Zousouth is the main danger. He's a Zousain gelding from the Freedman stable who has been placed twice from four starts. He ran second at Werribee over 1114m two runs back, beaten a length, and he's drawn barrier three, which is perfect. Cross-over nose band goes on for the first time today, which suggests they're trying to sharpen him up. But he's been off for 39 days, and I want to see him prove he's ready fresh.

The debutants Sun Devil and Playful As are both interesting on breeding and trial form. Sun Devil is a Zousain gelding from the O'Brien stable with Billy Egan booked, and he ran third at Caulfield Heath over 1000m in a trial. Playful As is an Astern filly from the Hayes stable with Daniel Stackhouse aboard, and she's won two jump-outs. Both are chances if the market speaks, but I want to see them race before I invest.

Bill Boulder has had 26 starts for five placings and no wins. He's a professional galloper, but he's not a winner. Mr Fulltime is nine years old and has been tried 20 times for one win. I'm not interested. Recycle King is returning from a 168-day spell and hasn't shown me anything in three starts to suggest he's a winning chance.

Conflict has the form, the class, and the right stable behind him. He's the one I want in this race, and I think he wins if he's anywhere near right.

Finally, a race with genuine speed. Seven runners are forecast to lead or sit close, which means this is going to be a proper staying test over 1106 metres. I love Zetalyn in this scenario. She's a Trapeze Artist mare from the Corstens stable who has been placed five times from fifteen starts, including a narrow second at Werribee over 1100m last time, beaten a neck. That was a strong effort, and she's drawn barrier five, which gives Thomas Stockdale options. With seven runners wanting the front, the pace will be genuine, and she can settle midfield and finish over the top of them. Synthetic hoof filler goes on for the first time today, which is a minor gear change but not one that concerns me.

Skellig Rock is the main danger. She's a Star Witness mare from the Laing stable who has been placed three times from twelve starts, including a fourth at Moe over 1000m last time, beaten just over a length. She's drawn barrier one, which is perfect, and Bailey Kinninmont claims 2kg. But she's a leader, and with six other runners wanting the front, she's going to be involved in a speed battle. I'm not sure she's got the class to sustain it.

Montjuic Magic is another leader drawn in barrier four, and she's won once from ten starts. She ran fifth at Stony Creek last time over 1100m on soft, beaten three and a half lengths. Nadia Daniels claims 2kg, but I don't see her winning from the front in this pace scenario.

Barari is resuming from a 21-day break after running sixth at Pakenham over 1000m. She's a Pride of Dubai filly from the Maher stable, which commands respect, but she's another leader in a race full of them. I'm not convinced she's got the class to win this at benchmark 56 level.

Brave Carol is another leader, and blinkers come off for the first time today. That's an interesting move from Andrew Noblet, and John Allen is a strong booking. But she's been disappointing in her last two runs, and I'm not sure she's got the form to win this.

Struggle Street and Rockette Roulette are both leaders with long odds, and I'm not interested in either. Zetalyn is the one with the class, the right racing pattern, and the best recent form. She's my clear pick in a race that sets up perfectly for her.

Over 1206 metres with a slow pace, and Snappy Tycoon is the horse with the track knowledge and the right form. He's a Written Tycoon gelding from the Chapman stable who has had fifteen starts at Kyneton for one win and four placings. He won at Ararat over 1100m five days ago, and he's backing up quickly here. That's a bold move, but Danielle Chapman knows this horse inside out, and Jason Maskiell has ridden him to success before. Barrier two is perfect, blinkers stay on, and I think he's the one to beat.

Star Territory is the main danger. He's a Territories gelding from the Ryan stable who ran second at Yarra Valley over 1209m last time, beaten a nose. That's strong form, and he's drawn barrier seven with Rhys McLeod aboard. Winkers go on for the first time today, which suggests they're trying to sharpen him up. But he's been placed twice from nine starts and hasn't won since his maiden, and I'm not sure he's got the class to win this.

Brazen Fling is resuming from a 33-day break after winning at Yarra Valley over 1200m last time. She's a Brazen Beau mare from the Feek stable with Will Gordon aboard, and she's stepping up in class today. Blinkers stay on, and she's a chance if she's ready fresh. But this is a step up in grade, and I want to see her prove she's got the class for benchmark 56 level.

Castlefield Flyer is returning from a 145-day spell, which is a long time off. She won at Gunbower over 1300m last time in, and she's a Fleet Review mare from the Rae stable. But I'm not convinced she's ready to win fresh, and the long spell concerns me.

Drone Attack ran sixth at Seymour over 1200m last time, beaten over two lengths. She's won here before over 1115m, but I don't see the form line that says she's ready to win this. Diamond Indaruf ran second at Moe over 1200m last time, beaten a length, and she's a Magnus mare from the Brown stable. Blinkers stay on, and she's a chance at odds, but I'm not convinced she's got the class to beat Snappy Tycoon.

Snappy Tycoon has the track knowledge, the right form, and the perfect draw. He's backing up quickly, but I think he's got the fitness and the class to win this.

Over 1862 metres with a slow pace, and Broadhurst is the horse with the track and distance credentials. He's a Written Tycoon mare from the Howley stable who has won twice from sixteen starts, including a win here over 1887m last time in. That's the exact same trip, and he's drawn barrier twelve, which is wide but not a disaster in a slow-paced staying race. Declan Bates is booked, and I think he's the one to beat.

So Long Ago is the main danger. She's a So You Think mare from the Banks stable who won here over 1887m two runs back. That's strong form, and she's drawn barrier three with John Allen aboard. But she's been off for 13 days, and I want to see her prove she's ready to back up quickly.

Bob The Horse is an eight-year-old gelding from the Moloney stable who ran third at Moe over 1600m last time, beaten under three lengths. He's won six times from 53 starts, which tells you he's a professional galloper who knows how to win. Blinkers stay on, and Bailey Kinninmont claims 2kg. He's a chance at odds, but I'm not sure he's got the class to beat the top two.

Exabanoise ran third at Moe over 2400m last time, beaten under three lengths. He's a Niconoise gelding from the Calthorpe stable who has been placed three times from eighteen starts. Blinkers stay on, and Nadia Daniels claims 2kg. He's a chance if the pace is genuine, but I'm not convinced he's got the class to win this.

Holly's Star ran seventh at Pakenham over 2500m last time, beaten over nine lengths. She's a Tosen Stardom mare from the Lake stable who has been placed three times from 22 starts. Blinkers stay on, and Billy Egan is a strong booking. But I don't see the form line that says she's ready to win this.

Presley is resuming from a 106-day spell, which is a long time off. He's a Lope de Vega gelding from the Feek stable who has won twice from fourteen starts. Blinkers come off for the first time today, which is an interesting move. But I'm not convinced he's ready to win fresh, and the long spell concerns me.

Broadhurst has won here over this trip before, and he's the one with the track knowledge and the right form. He's my clear pick in a race that sets up perfectly for him.